Washington, DC – In a city densely populated with memorials, there is
one conspicuous absence – a memorial commemorating America’s involvement in what was
known as “the Great War” – World War One, which started 100 years ago, in the
summer of 1914.

At a National Press Club Newsmakers news conference on
Tuesday, August 12, Edward L. Fountain of the U.S. World War I Centennial
Commission will discuss legislation that’s been introduced to authorize
re-development of Pershing Park in Northwest Washington as a national World War
I memorial.

The Congressionally chartered Commission is tasked with educating the American people about the causes and
consequences of the war and to commemorate the sacrifices of the American servicemen
and women who served in that war. Pershing Park, located on Pennsylvania Avenue
in front of the Willard Hotel – just steps from the National Press Club –
currently contains a small memorial to Gen. John J. Pershing, commander of the
American Expeditionary Forces during World War I.

The legislation, which has passed
the House of Representatives as an amendment to the National Defense
Authorization Act and is awaiting action by the Senate, would permit the
Commission to pursue re-development of the park.

This Newsmakers news conference is
scheduled for Tuesday, August 12 at 10 a.m. in the club’s Zenger Room, on the
13th Floor of the National Press Building, 529 14th St.
NW, Washington DC 20045.

Like all NPC Newsmaker events, this news conference is open
to credentialed media and NPC club members. It is free of charge and no advance
registration is required.